GWL Voices’ Official Statement on the Summit of the Future
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As world leaders prepare to gather at the United Nations General Assembly (#UNGA79) and the Summit of the Future, GWL Voices is proud to launch its official statement advocating for the prioritization of women’s rights and gender equality in global governance reforms. The Summit, taking place on September 22-23, offers a historic opportunity to reshape multilateralism and ensure that the rights of women and girls are at the forefront of all future action.
GWL Voices has been actively advocating for the inclusion of women’s rights as a cross-cutting theme in the Pact of the Future, reinforcing that inclusivity and equity must be woven into every proposed action. As governments work toward strengthening the role and effectiveness of the UN, GWL Voices calls for the following:
- No Backsliding on Women’s Rights: The hard-won gains achieved through the Beijing Platform for Action and the Generation Equality Action Coalitions must be protected. Weakening these frameworks risks undoing decades of progress on gender equality, women’s economic participation, and their right to lead secure and empowered lives.
- Reforming the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW): As part of the Pact of the Future, GWL Voices sees the proposed reforms to the CSW as a key step toward enhancing its accountability and effectiveness. Strengthening CSW will ensure better monitoring and implementation of key international frameworks like CEDAW and Agenda 2030.
- A Female UN Secretary-General in 2026: The Pact’s inclusion of language acknowledging the absence of a female UN Secretary-General is a historic step. GWL Voices urges governments to publicly support the election of a woman to this crucial leadership role, ensuring true gender equality in the global multilateral system.
GWL Voices will remain committed to monitoring and supporting the implementation of these critical actions. Together with its allies, GWL Voices will work toward the historic goal of electing the first-ever female UN Secretary-General in 2026.